Roger was exciting and it was great to see him play so well for most of 2 full sets.

As for the final, John's looking tough. I'll write in Rafa and Isner. Rafa will dismantle Delpo. He may very well do the same to Isner, but if John is on, it could be a bit more interesting.

Del Potro was tough at Indian Wells. Although Nadal has improved since then. Although.....Cincy suits Del Potro more than Indian Wells (just as the US Open suits Del Potro more than the Australian Open). I hope Isner makes the final.

« Last Edit: August 17, 2013, 06:20:04 AM by NADAL2005RG »

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“It is not too far way,” Toni Nadal told The Australian after Nadal collected the 13th major of his career by mowing down Novak Djokovic in an electrifying final of the US Open. “It is getting very, very close for Rafa to be level with Roger or more.”

...........................In the last 2 games, Roger threw caution to the wind and went for his shots. When he's tight, which he was the first 7 games of the 3rd set, he makes errors. Not just his BH, FH and serve as well. He was ripping BHs in the end. You guys make up your minds it's one thing

As soon as Roger got broken at the end of the 2nd set, the match morphed into Tommy Haas-Roger Federer, with Fed playing the part of Haas ("there went my chance...") and Rafa playing the part of Federer ("now I've got him!"). Too bad Roger couldn't at least get it back to 5-5. Kind of anticlimactic after dropping his first service game. As for Rafa, the ultimate competitor. In marquis match ups, he never believes he won't win. That wasn't the case for Roger.

I haven't read everything, but this match analysis of yours hits the spot for me, too, Babblelot. It underlines what was discussed after the Federer / Haas match about patterns of behaviour etc.

I enjoyed the match, as it was very good to see Federer playing some excellent tennis again. Winning / losing is one thing, but the poor quality of his game for much of this year has been disappointing, and this match showed that he is still able to play his game. Good stuff.

As for Nadal, congratulations & hats off to him. As you say, the unflinching belief and ability to capitalise on the slimmest of chances is phenomenal & his greatest asset. I cannot see anyone but him lifting this trophy. Furthermore, I detect an attitude in him that is far more serene and grounded than I've seen in non-clay events before. He is approaching the net more & although insistent, no longer killing himself to get every single ball. He keeps making adjustments. He reads the opponent like a book & can neutralise most forms of attack sufficiently to sow doubt in the opponents mind. And all the while, his energy never wavers. On the form I've seen all round, I think he'll lift the USO title this year. He really has put the so called hard court specialists to shame in this part of the season. It is worth remembering he also won at Indian Wells this year.

The signal for the tour is simple. Nadal is not only back, but back to succeed. Unless Djokovic & Murray liven up their act somewhat, he will be number one again very soon in my view.

Welcome to the board Nadal2005RG. Congratulations to you, RAFA816 & all Nadal fans for the remarkable return of your man to the hard court season.

N2005RG - I disagree your point about Federer fans unreasonable sense of disappointment. I haven't conducted or read a study on this issue, nor do I aim to speak for other Federer fans, but as his fan, my disappointed relates to the fact that he has the ability to play well, but hasn't been doing so. Whether it is injury related ( apparently he has back issues) or not, for as long as he continues to take to the court, I will hope that he can play well & put up a good match. I'd be pleased if he could win more titles, but this isn't important to me. I just love his game when its on & last night, it was a pleasure to see him playing well again.

...........................In the last 2 games, Roger threw caution to the wind and went for his shots. When he's tight, which he was the first 7 games of the 3rd set, he makes errors. Not just his BH, FH and serve as well. He was ripping BHs in the end. You guys make up your minds it's one thing

As soon as Roger got broken at the end of the 2nd set, the match morphed into Tommy Haas-Roger Federer, with Fed playing the part of Haas ("there went my chance...") and Rafa playing the part of Federer ("now I've got him!"). Too bad Roger couldn't at least get it back to 5-5. Kind of anticlimactic after dropping his first service game. As for Rafa, the ultimate competitor. In marquis match ups, he never believes he won't win. That wasn't the case for Roger.

I haven't read everything, but this match analysis of yours hits the spot for me, too, Babblelot. It underlines what was discussed after the Federer / Haas match about patterns of behaviour etc.

I enjoyed the match, as it was very good to see Federer playing some excellent tennis again. Winning / losing is one thing, but his poor quality of his game for much of this year has been disappointing, and this match showed that he is still able to play his game. Good stuff.

As for Nadal, congratulations & hats off to him. As you say, the unflinching belief and ability to capitalise on the slimmest of chances is phenomenal & his greatest asset. I cannot see anyone but him lifting this trophy. Furthermore, I detect an attitude in him that is far more serene and grounded than I've seen in non-clay events before. He is approaching the net more & although insistent, no longer killing himself to get every single ball. He keeps making adjustments. He reads the opponent like a book & can neutralise most forms of attack sufficiently to sow doubt in the opponents mind. And all the while, his energy never wavers. On the form I've seen all round, I think he'll lift the USO title this year. He really has put the so called hard court specialists to shame in this part of the season. It is worth remembering he also won at Indian Wells this year.

The signal for the tour is simple. Nadal is not only back, but back to succeed. Unless Djokovic & Murray liven up their act somewhat, he will be number one again very soon in my view.

Welcome to the board Nadal2005RG. Congratulations to you, RAFA816 & all Nadal fans for the remarkable return of your man to the hard court season.

Thanks

The 7 month break has benefited Nadal mentally. Also physically, but his mental freshness is what won him all those clay titles this year and Indian Wells, when he had to win many thrillers. Now in August, his body has completely shaken its recovery mode, so he has the full powers of enthusiasm (the mental freshness and eagerness of making up for lost time) plus a 100% physical state (as maybe evidenced by no bandages, and clearly some very sharp court movement which he didn't quite have during the clay season).

So I agree Nadal is on target to march through the US Open. Murray thinks he can just sleepwalk through the non-slams and turn up and win the slam title. Yes, that worked out when his only competition was a declining Djokovic (and let's not forget, Murray still wasn't very convincing in this year's Australian Open final). But Murray has lost his last 4 slam meetings with Nadal (2010 Wimbledon, 2011 Roland Garros, 2011 Wimbledon, 2011 US Open).....so regardless of what people say about Murray's improvement (which coincided with Nadal's absence and Federer/Djokovic's decline), I think Nadal will have a psychological edge should they meet at the US Open.

On top of that, if Nadal wins Cincy he will be seeded #2 at the US Open. If you are going to play Djokovic, its best to play him in the final, not the semi-final.

« Last Edit: August 17, 2013, 07:46:30 AM by NADAL2005RG »

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“It is not too far way,” Toni Nadal told The Australian after Nadal collected the 13th major of his career by mowing down Novak Djokovic in an electrifying final of the US Open. “It is getting very, very close for Rafa to be level with Roger or more.”

Murray has suffered injury ( I think his leg or back or both - I'm afraid I'm not fully au fait with players ailments as there are more interesting things in life! Looool ) and I believe this has been a set back for him this year, which has been a superb year from despite the injury.

It is worth remembering that he holds 2 of the four slams at present, is the Olympic gold medallist and the finalist in Wimbledon 2012 & AO 2013, therefore took part in the finals of 3 of the last 4 GS's. Despite his difficulties with injury, he has made his way to world number 2. The effort required to play at this high level over the year is enormous & very depleting. I'm not surprised therefore that he seems less than on good form these last few weeks.

I doubt if he thinks he can just stroll into a GS & win it. More than anyone, I find his down to earth attitude & self assessment both honest & refreshing. I think he'll be well aware of the effort required in order to defend his title at the USO. If he can't do it, it will be because his game is lacking for some reason & not because of a lack of effort or willingness to do as well as he can.

Djokovic has been at the top of the sport for a few years now, without a proper rest or break. He may be reaching saturation point but is not in decline. At his best, I don't believe any of the other top 4 can beat him.

So whilst I think Nadal is the best player out there at present, this is because Djokovic & Murray are both undergoing some sort of hiatus in their game. Nadal will no doubt capitalise, but he will not be the only realistic contender for titles looking forward & will have a lot of points to defend next year.

There is a lot to look forward to & I for for one hope it will include a variety of players playing well. I can't see how anything else would be good for the sport.

N2005RG - I disagree your point about Federer fans unreasonable sense of disappointment. I haven't conducted or read a study on this issue, nor do I aim to speak for other Federer fans, but as his fan, my disappointed relates to the fact that he has the ability to play well, but hasn't been doing so. Whether it is injury related ( apparently he has back issues) or not, for as long as he continues to take to the court, I will hope that he can play well & put up a good match. I'd be pleased if he could win more titles, but this isn't important to me. I just love his game when its on & last night, it was a pleasure to see him playing well again.

For my two cents, I doubt it's injury, though I have no clue about his health, I think it's just age. He just can't do what he once did as consistently as he once did it. He can't recover as quickly from a match either. He can come up with spectacular stretches in matches, win some big matches, then come out the next match with nothing. Very beatable.That's what I expect from Federer going forward. Great at times, human at times. More error prone as well. But he will raise a trophy or two before it's all said and done. Maybe not a grand slam, but a major perhaps.

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Is a tree as a rocking horseAn ambition fulfilledAnd is the sawdust jealous?I worry about these things .Kevin Godley & Lol Crème (I Pity Inanimate Objects)

Not buying. He was ranked #1 about this time last year. I think it's his lack of commitment. Kind of like what we saw from Nole after winning the US Open. He just hasn't shown the same commitment, mentally, since. It has nothing to do with age. They both lack the same steely resolve, something Rafa has in spades.

I think it kind of has to do with his age. He worked so hard to get back to #1, which was his goal at the time. I think, basically, after he finally hit his goal after such effort, it took more of a toll on him than he expected. And also, now, without a clear goal, he doesn't have as much to play for.

This has been a pretty good match so far. Isner volleying very well! He's almost become a serve and volleyer like old. But he still hesitates at times that he should just go ahead, throw caution to the wind, and charge on in.

I think it kind of has to do with his age. He worked so hard to get back to #1, which was his goal at the time. I think, basically, after he finally hit his goal after such effort, it took more of a toll on him than he expected. And also, now, without a clear goal, he doesn't have as much to play for.

Again, what has that to do with age? He just didn't commit himself. Nole hasn't, either. After Nole rolled through 2011 with a 55-3(or 2) record through the USO, he took his foot off the peddle. He started losing almost immediately. Really did care.